Rotary explosive-engine.



No. 891,827. PATENTE@ JUNE w08. G. L. FAM f No. 89l82'7. I PATENTED JUNE 3U, 1908.

. G. L. FAIRBROTHER.

ROTARY EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20.1907.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2 K 44 Y 2m aornnn, or Mrsfrro, ooNNEoTIoio'r.l

't may concern:

that i, Ger Dornen, .he United States, re ding at ie county of New Lon ieut, `have inver. f -in new provemen ts in 'Qotary `Explooi which the f .ing 'is a Jntion relates to explosive engines, e particularly to such engines of a rotary type, wherein a rotor is driven by the eirpiosion ot a charge contained and compressed 1n an adjacent explosion chamber.

the obj/Wt my invention is to provide an engine oi great simplicity operation, a minimum number oi parts nd of high eii'ectivencssi To this end the invention consists in the arrangement oi parts and detailed construction of the mechanism set forth in the'iollowing description, shown in the accom anying drawings, and more definitely detailed in the claims hereto appended."

In the an embodir ticularly c v ot my invention, more pared tor motor boats, Figure 1 1s a side viewoi" the engine, F 2 is a horizontal section on tine `x of W' being partly broken away, section on lineyi/ -g/ 4, ani view, partly tion-sl ou line Like characters 'in ail the .like parts.

in the drawin Y, 2 desivnates a circular rotoreinciosing having side' plates 2 2. it "i centers the side p are provided with t e outward! y projecting hubs l gs for a rotor shaft 5.

. opposit g ri-rack s 3 bv attach te any The ea, -ng may be kept cool t, .ny or' the means oromariiy used for the cyenders of er: lesive engines but i have shown the tv slis of the casing,

both on the sides and circumference as provided with watercirculating passa-ges which lead from a cool water `-n`pe 4 around the f `unierence and along the sides oi the ca 1f in the manner shown in dotted lines in r g. 3 to a warm Water outlet pipe fi".

ior-inedin connection Wit'l the casing are ation of Letters Patent.

, State accompanying drawings, showing i e points on the cir- 1 i the casirr'- as pro- .teren EXPLOSVELENGINE.

Patented June so, 1908.

theexplosion chambers 5 8 as virili be later described. Mounted on the shaft/5 is the ro tor 6 Whose general form in section is shown most cieariy l in Fig. 4 This is inl the form of a Wheel, having a hub fitting the shaft 5 and an enlarged periphery approximately fitting the casing. The interior of the casing, adjacent l .to the periphery ofthe rotor is provided with ,l circumferential aching strips 6 having elastic contact with the outer surface of the rotor adjacent to its periphery. f l Gn its peripher r, the rotor is providedwith I one or more pocke s 7 which are inclined into t the periphery of the rotor in the direction of l its inotion. These preferably extend across l the face of the rotor, as shown in Fig. 4 and the mouths of the pockets are adapted at one vpoint in the revolution of the rotor to register with the outlet of lan explosion chamber 8, which is formed upon or in one I the casing 2. I shown in Fig. 3, and its walls are provided with Water channels in continuation of the water channels in the walls of the casing. There may be as many of these pockets-7 as desired, situated along the periphery of the'` rotor. l pockets in order that the full eiiect of the j explosion may be transmitted to the rotor.,y

Set on either side of thepockets 7 and as nearas possible adjacent to the mouths, are transverse packing strips 9. The rotor itself l docs not touch the interior face of the casingv l at any point as this would engender too l great an amount of friction, but the packing ,l strips while preventing the escape of the eX- plosive force bear but lightly upon the interior face of the casing, thus allowing the rotor to rotate with a minimum of friction; tlhile the explosionchamber 8 and the pockets 7 provide for rotation in one directhe pockets 7 inv maybe driven in either It will be understood,

I have, however, shown'two of. these;

and the pockets 7 4' ofcourse, that in the rotation of the rotor the i tion, l also provide the diamtrically oppof pockets 7 will act in connection with the yeX- plosion chamber 8, while the pockets 7 will only aline with the mouth ofthe explosion l chamber after the explosion has taken place and its force has been transmitted to thel rotor; whereas when the rotor is moving in sensa? ythe opposite direction the'pockets 7 will rst or other explosive mixture. These arev railI erably located, asin l'ig.V 1, u on the si e 2 of casing`2, the. outer ends o" said pipes entering the inlet chambers as shown, and the inner ends being connected by a three-way coupling 12, which is connected to an inlet 'pipe 12 leading to a, charge-compressing pump by which the charge is kept at a high compression before being allowed to enter the explosive chambers S 01:3. A. hand lever 13 is connected to the usual three-way valve located inside of the coupling 12, whereby the charge may be directed into either one et' the explosion chambers S or 8.

l h ave shown the charge-compressing pump 14- as formed upon. er attached to the lower portion of the side plate 2, the piston of which is reciproeated through thepiston rod 1/l and the eccentric 14 mounted upon the end ofthe shalt 5, The eccentric andthe compressor pump are of common construction familiar to all those who are acquainted with the art and need vnot be specifically de scribed.

The charging pipes 11, 11 at the ends which enter the explosion chambers are provided with the puppet valves l2 which open to allow the entrance of an explosive charge under pressure into the explosion chambers and which automatically close when an ex plosion occurs. lt is to be, however, understood that any other form of valve mechan- 'sm may be used to control the inlet ends of the pipes 11.

T he ignition oi the explosive charge in my motor is accomplished through the making oi Contact between the two electrodes, which are actuated to this end by a rotating cani plate.

ln detail the ignition device l deem it preferable to use comprises aimed .firing pin 15 and a movable Contact pin 16, having at its inner end` the contact plate 16. At its outer end the movable contact pin 16 is provided with an enlarged head 16 carrying an anti-friction Wheel, Between the enlarged head 16 and the face of the casinlgT is located a. spring 16X which acts to keep the contact plate 16 against the pin 1.5 and thus to close the circ-uit through the electrodes.

To actuatc the ignition dem' l have providedv the` ily wheel 17 mounted on the v shaft 5, 'with an elevation or protuberance 17" on its inner linee, having inclined sides, as

'shown in Fig.'A 2,- adapted to contact with the wheel on the outer end of pin 16, to torce in said pin. and break the contact between the electrodes. The pins 15 and 16 are cachinin circuit with each Iother and any suitable source of electricity.

In order that the circuit may be perma-l nently broken in that ignition apparatus which is located in the inactive explosion chamber, l connect the hand lever 13 by rods 13 and cross .bars 13 with a pivoted lever 18 which at its tree end is formed with a wedge-sha )ed termination adapted to enon the head 16. Thus when the lever 18 is thrownover to close the inlet to one explosion chamber, and open it to thelother, the ignition circuit is likewise broken in the inactive chamber.

The operation of my enginevis as` follows: The explosive mixture isy drawn from any mediately thereafter the compression in the explosion chamber is reduced the inlet valve opens and a lrcsh charge is `forced into the plained, acts about when the pocket 7 or 7 arrives again at the outlet of the explosion chamber.

It is obvious that there may be as many pockets in the rotor as desired. l have shown only one set of pockets which practically constitutes one pocket but it is obvious that l need not be limited in any way to this number, the only change required in the 'tor and that further the fly wheel is provided with as many protuberances 17 as there are pockets, or in other words, as there are explosions taking place during the complete rotation of the rotor.

lt is obviousalso that l may use means for cleansing' the interior of the explosion chamber between explosions and before the inlet of a new charge, without in any way altering the character ot' my invention.

ili it desired to reverse the rotation of the engine, it 1s onlynccessary to throw over the hand 'lever '123 which will reverse lthe three-way valve in the interior of the coupsulated from the plate 2', and are connected gage with t e projecting wedge-shaped lug. 16

the explosion closes the inlet valve but imy explosion chamber awaiting the instant tor' the next 'explosion which, as betore eX- mechanism being that the electrodes operate as many times as there are pockets m the rosuitable carbureter into the compressing I lt 1s then forced into the connect- .iso

ing inclosiiig the saine and Will direct the c arge to the op osite explosion chamber, at the saine time 'breaking the circuit of one ignition device and allowing' the' circuit to be completed on the other ignition device.

My invention. is particularly applicable to l no complicated parts liable to get out or" or- .periphery der, has a minimum of vibration' and is eX- tremely compact. l Having described myinventionwhat I claim is: Ii. in a rotary explosive engine, a rotor having tivo sets oi tangential pockets in the thereof, each side inclined in ooposite directions, a casing surrounding t' ie rotor, means for preventing the escape of gases from the pockets into the space between the rotor and casing, two explosion chambers, the outlets of each oppositely inclined iii the direction of the inclination of the pockets in the rotor, means for compressingan explosive charge iii one or the other ot said chambers, means for igniting the charge in one oi the other of said chambers, and/an exhaust outlet from. said casing.

2. in a rotary explosive engine, rotor having two series oi' tangential pockets in the periphery thereof extendin"T in opposite directions, the openings ot sait pockets extending entirely across the peY pheryY of said rotor, means ioi' preventing the escape oi gases from the pockets into the space between the rotor and the casing, two explosion chambers having outlets comiiiciisurate with the outlets of the rotor pockets, the outlet from one chamber being oppositely inclined to the outlet of the other, and coinciding in inclination with the inclination of the pockets in the rotor, an exhaust pipe opening into the rotor casing and located between the explosion chambers, pipes entering the explosion chambers ior the introduction of a cl arge thereto, valves in the outlets of said pi es closing against the iiiside pressure andp opening to outside pressure., a three-Way coupling coniiectiiig said pipe, a pipe leadingiroin said three-Way coupling to a charge-coinprcssing pump, means for operating the valve in said coupling to direct the charge either to one or the other explosion chamber, and means for igiiiting the charge in either of said chainbers.

3. .ln a rotary explosive engine, a rotor having two series or tangential pockets iii the periphery thereof extendin in opposite directions, the openings of said pockets eX- tcnding entirely across the periphery of said being tion oi the pockets in the rotor an exhaust pipe opening .into the rotor casing and located `ietiveen the explosion chambers, piesentering the explosion chambers for tie introduction otra char'ge tliereto,valve, in, the outlets 0in seid pipes closing against inside pressure and opening to outside pressure, a

'three-Way coupling connectingsaid pipe, a

pipe leading from said three-Way coupling to a charge-compressing pump, a hand lever 'for actuating the valve in said cou iling, electric igiiitiniT devices located in'eacli explosion chamber, and means for breaking the circuit of said ignition devices, in one or the other of said explosion chambers.

4. In a rotary explosive engine, a rotor having two adjacent tangential pockets in the periphery thereof inclined in the saine direction, a casing surrounding the rotor, a shaft passing through said casing on which the rotor is mounted, means 'for preventing the escape oi gases between the rotor and the casing, an explosion chamber .having an outlet inclined in the direction of the inclination oi the pockets, said outlet being large enough to register with the outlets from both rotor pockets at the same time, means ior preventing the escape of gases from said rotor pockets located on (.itlier-sidc oi the said pockets, means for compressing an explosivo charge in said explosion chamber, moans for igniting said charge, and an exhaust outlet Jfrom said casing.

5. In a rotary explosive engine, a rotor having tangential pockets in the periphery thereof, a casing inclosing said rotor, an explosion chamber having an opening theretrom registering with said pockets at one point in the revolution of the rotor, an cxhaust pipe leading irom said casing and ada te( to register with said pockets and to the rotorv and said rotor pockets inner face ol the resi ient strips attached located-oil either side of and contacting with the easing.

(i. in a rotary explosive engine, va rotor having tivo series of tangential pockets in the periphery the-reci extending in opposite directions, the openings ol said pockets cxteiiding entirely across the periphery of said rotor, means for preventing the escape of gases from the pockets into the. space' between the rotor and the casing, two oppositely placed explosion chambers having outlets commensurate ivith the outlets of the rotor pockets, the outlet from one chamber oppositely inclined to the inclination in the outlets of said pipes closing against sion chamber in contact with the iixed elec oi` the other Vand coinciding in inclination with the inclination of the pockets in the rotor, an exhaust pipe opening into the rotor and located between the explosion chambers, pipes entering the explosion chambers for the'introduction of a chargent/hereto, valves inside pressure and opening to outside piges"-`Y 'sure, a tliroe-way coupling connecting sai-il piie, a pipe leading 'from said three-wauw'7 coupling to a cha1go-compressing pump, a hand lever 'for actuating the valve in said coupling7 iixed electrodes in each explosion chamber, movable electrodes in each explosion chamber in contact with the fixed elcotrodes, electrical connections from said electrodes, and means actuated by the rotation of the rotor acting to break the contact between said ined electrodes and said movable electrode in one oi the ,said chalutiers,

7. in. a rotary explosive cugino, a rotor having two series oi Langential pockets in the peripheijyv thereoi' extending in opposite directions, the openings of said pockets extending entirelyv across the periphery oi said rotor, means `for preventing the escape of gases from the pockets into the space between the rotor and the casing, two oppositely placed explosion chambers having outlets commensuratewith the outlets of the rotor pockets, the outlet from one chamber being oppositely inclined to tlic inclination of the other and coinciding in inclination with the inclinatimi of the pockets in lthe' rotor, an exhaust pipe opening into the rotor and located between the explosion chambers, pipes entering the explosion chambers for the introdut-,iion of a charge'thereto, Valves in the outlets oi: said pipes closing against inside pressure and opening to outside pressure, a three-way coupling connecting said pipe, a pipe leading from; said three-waxr coupling to a charge-compressing puinp, a hand lever for actuating the valve in said coupling, vfixed electrodes in each explosion chamber, movable electrodes in the explotrodes,4 and having a spindle projecting out oi .the side oi said cis-ing, electrical connections iiroin said electrodes7 and a iiy wheel mounted on the shaft of the rotor andrhaving a protuberance thereon adapted to cngage with the spindle ot the` movable. electrode to force said electrode inward and break the contact between the fixed and movable electrode.

8. In a rotary explosivejengine, a rotore having two series of tangential pockets in the periphery thereof extending in opposite directions, the openings of said pockets eX- tending entirel)T across the peri heryof said rotor, nie'ans'tor preventing tie escape of gases from the pocket-s into'the space between the rotorand the casing, two oppositely placed explosion chambers having outlets commensurate with the outlets of the rotor pockets, the outlet from one chamber being oppositely inclined to the inclination of the other and coinciding in inclination with the inclination of' the pockets in the rotor7 an exhaust pipe opening into the rotor and located between the explosion chainbers, pipes entering the explosionchanibers ior the introduction of a charge thereto, valves in the outlets oi said pipes closing against inside pressure and opening to outside pressure,- a three-way coupling connecting said pipe, a pipe leading from said threeway' coupling connecting said pipe, a pipe lending troni said three-winT coupling to a cliarge-compressing purnp a hand lever for actuating the valve in said coupling, fixed electrodes in each explosion chamber, niovable electrodes in each explosion chamber in contact with the lined electrodes, and having a spindle projecting out ot the side of said casing7 electrical connections from said ciectrodes, a ily wheel mounted on the shaft the rotor and having a protuinirance tlnreon adapted to engage with the yspindle oi the movable electrode, to `torce said electro e inward and break the contact oetween the lixed' and movable electrode, a pivoted ai one end of which" is adapted to wi the spindle ot' the movable electrode, a l connections between the other end of saidl pivotcd arin and the hand lever when-)byv wnen the valve is turned to direct the charge 'from one to the other of the explosion chainbers the said pivoted arrn shall' be connected to force in the-movable electrode and break the circuit of the ignition device tor said inactive, chamber. A Y

lin testimony wlxe'eoi, l have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this l2 day oi iviarch, 1907.

our nnninnio'rnni lWitnesses Guo. R. KELSEY, lnnUND F. BUnRoWs.

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